Sometimes, the only way to truly tell them how you feel about them is by giving them a poem that says how important they are to you, and how your life will not be the same without them. It is a continual balance of you and your partner's needs.
The point is to express your feelings as honestly and clearly as possible. Funeral poems for Mom should be about either the type of person she was or what she would say to you right now if you could hear her, that's what made this poem so special for me. Make sure you are happy with it before the reading, the last thing you want to do is decide that it's not that appropriate on the day.
A poem because it comes from the heart, is a fitting tribute to the dead and the living to be remembered in time. What a person sees is unique to their experience. If you are gifted with the blessing and talent of writing poetry for the dead, share it.
A lovely memento to keep over the years is a poem. It can be framed, written in a card, spoken over the phone, recited one to one or even emailed if time is not on your side.